Charles King’s family thinks he’s crazy. He doesn’t think so. He just loves Roanoke Avenue.

King, who lives in Midlothian, Va., owns five buildings on the Avenue, from Java Junction to the Halifax County Arts Council.

Today he spoke to members of the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance about his passion for the Avenue and his buildings.

“It’s been in my prayers Roanoke Rapids would see a new day, a revival in business,” King told the gathering at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall. “Lord, just let me see it happen before I die. I don’t think I’m ready to go yet. At one time I felt like I was crying in the wilderness.”

The buildings were the legacy of his grandfather, he said. “My grandfather was really a strong businessman. It seems like he was gifted with business skills.”

The Great Depression, however, affected his health and he eventually died, leaving the buildings to King’s father.

After carving his own life as a minister and raising a family, King became reacquainted with the buildings in the 80s. “I really was not involved with the property at all.”

As his father’s health failed in the 90s, it became his time to get deeply involved with the property. “If something broke, it was don’t repair it, fix it. In 20 years we’ve never had a leak.”

The only problem King ever encountered through his ownership was from naysayers in the city, he said. “Why are you putting awnings up?” He said people asked. “They said it wouldn’t help the buildings. Maybe not, but it helped me because I have pride in the buildings.”

He remains proud of his property, he told the audience. “That’s why I’m so hopeful this effort will succeed. Let’s do everything we can to make it successful.”

King would like to see the Avenue business district be like the one in the mountain town of Waynesville. “Even if a building is vacant,” he said, “You don’t know it’s vacant. There’s no parking on the street because they’re full. You have to use the lots in the back. It’s just unique.”

He likes the businesses he has in his buildings. “I have five of the best tenants in the city,” he said.

King gave the alliance a $1,000 check. “I did it because I want to do it.”

In other matters at the meeting today it was announced:

• The Design Shop will be holding a contest where it will design windows for the monthly winner. City hall will get the first window makeover.

• A new travel agency will be coming to the Avenue in November.

• The alliance received $1,296 from the city which was money left over from a previous business district association.

• There will be a festival Nov. 7 with a chili cook-off featuring recipes made by firefighters, EMS and police, band performances by groups currently competing in the Battle of the Bands every Friday at Java Junction and either a turkey trot of turkey walk race.

• The next roast is Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at david’s. The guest of honor is tentatively slated to be Gene Minton.